Letters: It might be that farmers have a lot to whinge about...

WELL DONE, Ross Clarke! Yes, we noticed the lack of support from farmers during the Thatcher years for others who lost their livelihood - miners, fishermen, steel- workers. I haven't noticed the "barley barons" putting up their funds. I did, however, notice the overgrazing of pastures as sheep were packed in to grab the subsidies; the dumping of carcasses when the knackers wanted payment; the tearing up of hedgerows, the blocking of footpaths, exemption from the Uniform Business Rate, special inheritance arrangements - but then, we all know a special case when we see one, don't we? Funny folk, these farmers who love the countryside.

C SAUNDERS

Sale, Cheshire